willrothfuss wrote:Hi, newbie here with the teardrop bug ( it really is a bug isn't it?). Before I venture any further down this rabbit hole, I'd like to know if towing a trailer with my Subaru is really practical. I have a 2014 Forester- standard 4 cylinder engine with automatic transmission. The manual gives a maximum trailer weight of 1500# with brakes and 1000# without brakes. The maximum tongue load is 175# and should be between 8-11% of the total trailer weight. It goes on to talk about GVWR and GAW, and distribution of trailer weight in front of and behind the trailer axle, but I'm not sure how important any of this is. I have never towed anything and am getting a little leery.
First, I'd like to hear from anyone with a Forester and a teardrop. I would be grateful for any advice from non-Forester owners as well. Should one stay well below these maximums to avoid excessive wear on the car? I would think that getting a trailer hitch from the dealer would be the way to go, and they could answer a lot of questions as well.
Thanks, Will
pchast wrote:My 2012 outback, with the CVT auto, a hair larger than yours, has no problems.
willrothfuss wrote:Chaz, maybe I will go to the dealer for the tow package!
QueticoBill wrote:Always interesting to compare US tow capacities vs overseas. Heres a link to an Aussie review noting 1800 kg. or nearly 4000 pounds. https://www.caravanworld.com.au/tow-veh ... l-tow-test
I think we havr lawyers and tort law to thank.
if towing a lot with an automatic transmission in a smaller vehicle getting a diagnostics tool shouldn't be priority, get a proper transmission cooler installed should be.bestclimb wrote:I had a 2004 foz and towed with it quite a bit, but it's a little different rig than the '14s. I have done a fair bit of other towing as well.
anyway GVWR is how heavy the tow vehicle can be. So curb weight of the car (that's the car fuel and oil) + you and anything you put in it + the hitch weight of the trailer (that 8-11%)
so without trailer brakes (And you should totally consider them even if the teardrop you get is 1000 or less as they can help sort things out if the trailer starts wagging the car) you get 1000lbs. So if the trailer weighs 1000lbs you get to put ~100lbs on the tongue.
That light without much else in the car and your GAW (Gross axle weight) and GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating) should be ok.
get the hitch from etrailer or something like that, your dealer will have generic advice and overcharge you.
An automatic transmission can get hotter than it should when towing, you should consider a temperature sensor. I'm not sure if there is a diagnostic port on the transmission for a dedicated gauge or if something like a scanguage, ultraguage, or bluetooth OBD reader will give you that info.
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